CHAPTER 237: READY TO MOVE [ 1 ]

The air in the Osborn Family estate was thick with anticipation, a stillness that felt less like the calm of routine and more like the charged silence before a storm.

Beneath the opulent marble floors and grandiose halls, far from the public’s gaze of wealth and prestige, lay the true essence of the family.

In this hidden sanctum, black-marble walls shimmered with veins of gleaming obsidian, creating an atmosphere where not even a whisper from the outside world could penetrate.

Seated around a massive table shaped like a coiling serpent were the core members of the Osborn Family, their expressions betraying a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

At the head of this gathering sat Arthur, clad in a sleek jet-black suit that matched his inscrutable demeanor.

His eyes moved methodically from one family member to another, absorbing their subtle movements, anticipation flickering across their faces like candlelight.

To his left was Julian, exuding calm composure with hands folded neatly beside him; next to him was Nathaniel, whose fingers drummed rhythmically against his armrest.

On Arthur’s right sat Richard, brow furrowed as he mentally raced through potential reasons for this rare assembly.

Margaret exchanged worried glances with her husband Philip while Emily sat silently, chin raised slightly in both curiosity and concern.

The younger generation filled the sides of the long table: Oscar, Edward, William, and George huddled together in hushed conversation before the meeting commenced.

Across from them sat Ashley spinning a stylus between her fingers, a clear sign of impatience, while Charlotte, Eva, Olivia, and Bella maintained straight backs and alert expressions.

In one corner sat Billy; though dressed once again in fine Osborn threads, there was an undeniable weight in his gaze, a depth earned through loss and resilience.

Now two weeks since his return to this secretive room summoned for only significant decisions that would alter their lineage’s course,the tension crackled in the air like static electricity.

They all understood what it meant to be called here.

As silence enveloped them like a heavy velvet curtain falling on an unfinished play, all eyes turned expectantly toward Arthur.

Leaning forward slightly with both hands resting on the obsidian table, a gesture that commanded attention without uttering a word, he cleared his throat softly.

"Alright everyone," he began deliberately. "We’re moving."

His words landed heavily in the room like an unexpected bombshell.

For a heartbeat or two, no one moved as silence deepened further still. It was Julian who broke it first with sharp clarity: "Moving?"

Margaret blinked rapidly. "Arthur... what do you mean by that?"

Ashley frowned deeply. "What do you mean we are moving? I mean this place is big enough for all of us".

Richard leaned closer; confusion etched across his face as he questioned Arthur’s intentions: "You’re not talking about some project... are you?"

Even Oscar looked bewildered: "Wait... moving where?"

The room buzzed with an electric energy as questions erupted from every corner, each voice vying for attention.

It was a cacophony of concern and curiosity, like a dam bursting under pressure.

"Why now?"

"To where?"

"Is there a threat?"

"What happens to the Estate?"

Amidst the chaos, Arthur remained composed, his gaze sweeping over the crowd until he slowly raised his hand, a simple gesture that commanded immediate silence.

Even Ashley held her tongue and kept quiet.

With a soft exhale, Arthur spoke clearly: "We’re moving the family," he reiterated, "to the Noctis Continent."

A stunned silence followed, punctuated only by the sound of several jaws hitting the floor. Olivia’s eyes widened in disbelief. "The Noctis... as in that Noctis?"

Billy shot her a sideways glance. "Is there another one?"

Nathaniel leaned back thoughtfully, rubbing his chin. "That’s not a light move, Arthur. You do realize what relocating to Noctis entails?"

Arthur’s gaze met Nathaniel’s with an intensity that suggested he understood far more than he let on. "More than you know."

Julian was still processing this monumental shift. "And... where exactly in Noctis are we going?"

A faint smile crossed Arthur’s lips, one that didn’t quite reach his eyes. "Varenya."

Gasps filled the air as mouths opened to speak but then fell silent; the name carried weight, a burden few were prepared to bear.

"Varenya?" Richard echoed incredulously. "That place is still unstable! Isn’t it crawling with reformist syndicates and shadow factions?"

Emily rubbed her chin thoughtfully before glancing at Arthur in realization.

The expressions on Nathaniel, Julian, Richard, and Margaret shifted from confusion to surprise.

"Have you..." Julian began, raising an eyebrow as astonishment flickered in his eyes.

"Yes!" Arthur affirmed with a nod. "That’s exactly why we’re going."

Confusion washed over everyone else in the room like a tidal wave.

Eva leaned closer to Charlotte and whispered urgently, "What are they talking about?"

Charlotte shook her head, she was just as lost.

Billy furrowed his brow at Arthur; he had anticipated surprises but this wasn’t merely relocation, it felt like a declaration of war against everything the Osborns had ever known.

Margaret’s worry deepened despite Arthur’s assurances that he had everything under control.

She finally asked hesitantly, "Arthur... why now? What purpose does this serve? Isn’t this too fast? What threat are we facing that demands such urgency?"

Arthur rose slowly, pacing around the table as he spoke, his voice steady but laced with urgency. "You think we’re safe because of the silence? You believe that wealth guarantees security? Let me tell you, this silence is nothing but an illusion. And as for our wealth? We’re not as safe as you might think; in fact, we’re just meat on a chopping board."

Billy frowned, confusion etched across his face. "What do you mean?" he asked, glancing around at the others in the room who mirrored his bewilderment.

Arthur simply shook his head, a hint of gravity in his expression. "Don’t worry; I’ll explain everything later. Just keep this in mind: we need to be ready to move."

As Arthur’s words hung in the air, a sense of unease settled over the group.